The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Marjorie Taylor Greene Betrays Trump When He Needed Her Most
Date: October 9, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode explores Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s dramatic split with Donald Trump and the Republican leadership during a pivotal moment over government shutdown negotiations, the release of the Epstein files, and, most critically, the future of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The Meiselas brothers dissect Greene’s newfound independence, how it exposes GOP fault lines on healthcare, and what it signals about broader party divisions—while providing their signature mix of legal insight, political analysis, and biting humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Public Break from Trump and Republican Leadership

• Greene publicly states that she’s not beholden to Trump, MAGA Mike Johnson, or GOP leadership but instead to her Georgia constituents ([00:43]).
• She pushes back against the party line by supporting the extension of ACA subsidies, saying failure to do so will cause Americans to “lose their healthcare and they will die.”
• Hosts analyze Greene’s position as both politically strategic and ideologically unique within her conference:

  “I certainly support the president, but I’m not some sort of blind slave to the president. I serve in Congress—we’re a separate branch of the government… I got elected without the president’s endorsement… I get to be independent as a Republican.”
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene, NBC interview ([03:28])

2. The Fight Over ACA Subsidies and Healthcare Policy

• Greene, on various right-wing and national news shows (NBC, Real America’s Voice, NewsNation, CNN), consistently frames healthcare affordability as the #1 issue from her constituents—even noting her own children cannot afford premiums ([04:50], [06:36]).
• She sharply disputes the notion, pushed by MAGA Mike Johnson, that preserving ACA subsidies is a “red herring,” insisting the crisis is “real” and directly affecting working families.

  "Well, no, the issues of the subsidies are real. It’s not something that anybody can say is made up… you’ve got single moms… if you double their health insurance or even triple it, these people are going to… be choosing between rent and their health insurance."
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene, NewsNation ([06:36])

• Hosts amplify this by sharing stories from Greene’s social media about $25,000/year premiums and sky-high deductibles, before offering their own progressive solution—universal healthcare funded by fair taxes on the wealthy ([10:10]).

3. Republican Mismanagement & Trump's Hollow Promises on Healthcare

• The brothers revisit Trump’s repeated, unfulfilled promises from his first administration about delivering a “full and complete healthcare plan in two weeks” ([15:13]).

  “We’re signing a healthcare plan within two weeks… a tremendous plan… it’s just about completed now… over the next two weeks…”
  — Donald Trump montage ([15:13])

• They argue that Republicans have no substantive alternative, with their only “plan” resulting in millions losing coverage or being priced out of care.
• The segment includes a fact-check: even before the ACA, costs and uninsurance were devastating, but subsidies cap premiums for millions who would otherwise face medical bankruptcy ([12:10]).

4. GOP Attitude Toward Medicaid and the Poor

• The hosts play a revealing clip of Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) dismissing the idea that able-bodied adults should receive Medicaid if they “refuse to work,” and examine its political and moral implications ([16:08]).
• They compare this stance to the everyday struggles facing Americans without adequate healthcare, underlining the party’s disconnect.

5. Public Sentiment and Blame for the Government Shutdown

• Various man-on-the-street interviews and polling cited in the episode indicate that the public overwhelmingly blames Republicans for the government shutdown, further isolating them on healthcare and fiscal issues ([18:28]):

  Q: Who’s more responsible for the government shutdown, Democrats or Republicans?
  A: “Republicans. They have the power.” ([18:28])

6. The Brothers’ Take

• While Ben and his brothers are quick to critique Greene’s broader politics, they acknowledge her stance on healthcare is “not something I totally disagree with” ([18:55]).
• They argue this rare alignment with Greene is instructive—it’s an example of how the GOP’s positions are failing everyday Americans and causing internal meltdowns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Let’s take off our Democrat jerseys, let’s take off our Republican jerseys, and we should do something responsible for the American people and fix this.”
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene, CNN ([07:34])
• “If we don’t extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, then people will lose their health care and they will die.”
  — Ben Meiselas, summarizing Greene’s position ([00:43])
• “I think we could fund universal healthcare… if we stop spending a ton of money on some of these foreign wars and… if billionaires just pay a little more taxes.”
  — Ben Meiselas ([12:32])
• “I don’t think there’s any reasonable way to spin this as the Democrats’ fault. Republicans are good for one thing—themselves.”
  — Man-on-the-street interview ([18:33])

Key Timestamps

• [00:43] — Setup of Greene’s betrayal: Greene’s feud with Trump/GOP and healthcare stance outlined.
• [03:28] — NBC interview: Greene asserts her independence from Trump/MAGA.
• [04:50] — Real America’s Voice: Greene laments unaffordable healthcare for her own family and constituents.
• [06:36] — NewsNation: Greene counters MAGA Mike Johnson, argues for realness of ACA crisis.
• [07:34] — CNN clip: Greene urges bipartisan cooperation on healthcare.
• [10:10] — Social media post: Premiums, deductibles, and “crushing” costs highlighted.
• [12:32] — The Meiselas plan: Universal healthcare and taxing the wealthy.
• [15:13] — Montage of Trump’s failed promises of a healthcare plan.
• [16:08] — Mike Flood’s town hall: MAGA/GOP attitude toward Medicaid recipients.
• [18:28] — Man-on-the-street clips: Public blames Republicans for the shutdown.
• [18:55] — Hosts’ reflection: Aligning (for once) with Greene on healthcare.

Summary

This episode offers an incisive look into a rare moment where Marjorie Taylor Greene steps outside the Trump orbit, revealing the deep cracks and looming crises within the GOP on healthcare. Through direct quotes, news clips, and sharp analysis, the Meiselas brothers highlight how real-life struggles with healthcare costs—even among the far right—are forcing a reckoning. With their blend of wit and substance, the brothers call for real solutions—universal care, fair taxation, and honest politics—and challenge their listeners to hold politicians accountable, regardless of party.